yeomaylin, your ds’s teacher’s behaviour is unacceptable. Teachers who punish children verbally and/or physically are crossing the line. During my school days, my teachers threw our homework out of the window if we made too many mistakes. Another one would cane our palm with her wooden ruler. Different teachers, different style of punishment. It went on for years. I was educated but it made me fearful of teachers and to a certain extent, people in authority, for many more years after I left.
If your child is naturally confident, fine, he can rise above it. But remember he is barely 8 years old. I have experience both local and international school environment (we lived overseas for a while) and I can tell you how amazing the international school teachers were. There were some terrors in the class but the teachers were always in control, no threats. Always full of praise and words of encouragement. Discussions were encouraged , even for 7 year olds and every child’s idea was a good idea. My very shy child’s confidence soared during those 2 years. He enjoyed school and loved all his teachers! It’s not the same now, I’m afraid.
We parents need to change our thinking that it is fine for teachers to offer corporal punishment to make children behave. That sounds like a frustrated teacher who cannot cope. All teachers are overworked and I know some children are a pain the ***. But first and foremost, their job is to inspire, teach and together with parents, instill a sense of confidence in each child. Threatening, chiding, pulling a child’s ear is a form of bullying, especially when the child is very young.
If you are not comfortable with the way your child is treated, please speak up. If the child’s teacher has had previous complaints from other parents, this is a red flag in my opinion. I would speak to the principal or HOD.
